AMN
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav today held a virtual meeting with the Environment Ministers of NCR States Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, National Capital Delhi and Punjab to review the activities being undertaken and planned by the States to manage the issue of air pollution in National Capital Region. The meeting was organized to ensure coordinated action and cooperation of all stakeholders to combat air pollution that affects Delhi NCR region in this season.
Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM made a detailed presentation on different aspects and challenges with regard to controlling air pollution in the NCR region. The major sectors discussed in the meeting included agricultural stubble burning, industrial pollution, pollution from diesel generator sets, vehicular pollution, electric mobility, dust from road and open areas and dust from construction and demolition activity. CAQM reiterated the comprehensive policy formulated and directed for targeted short or medium or and long-term action in various sectors by different agencies concerned.
Action taken and planned on the incidents of paddy residue burning were also highlighted by the States in the meeting. An update was provided regarding availability and allocation of CRM machinery by the State Governments. The State Governments have informed that they have involved the local bodies and are innovatively providing the machinery to the farmers to promote in-situ methods of handling crop residue.
Expansion of area under bio-decomposers as an important strategy towards in-situ stubble management was also discussed in the meeting. The states informed about the progress in the ex-situ crop residue management and activities undertaken to promote alternate usage of paddy straw as an economic resource.
Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi also informed about the dust control and management actions being undertaken.
The States updated that progress is being made on ensuring the shifting of industry to PNG or cleaner fuels. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav asserted that the progress in this regard has to be a priority.
The issue of vehicular pollution was also deliberated upon in the meeting and the States informed about strict action being taken to ensure that all vehicles have the pollution under check PUC certificate. Road traffic management systems were also discussed. All the State Ministers appealed for proactive public participation in combating air pollution in the NCR region which was caused by the airshed conditions.
The State Environment Ministers lauded the efforts of the Union Minister to conduct this meeting at a critical time just before the onset of winter to ensure coordinated efforts by the States. The Union Minister informed that meetings have been held with CAQM, CPCB, DISCOM, NTPC and state functionaries and expressed confidence that this participatory and coordinated approach will yield positive results. The Environment Ministers of NCR, Delhi and Punjab assured their commitment to manage air pollution and to follow all directions of CAQM and the Union Ministry to address the issue.
The meeting was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar who is also in charge of the State Environment portfolio, Rajasthan Environment Minister Hemaram Choudhary, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, Uttar Pradesh Environment Minister Dr. Arun Kumar and Punjab Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet. Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey also joined the meeting.